Hillsborough County, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Native tree minimum
- 50% of required trees
- Governing permit
- Landscaping and/or Irrigation Permit
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Hillsborough County only
- Replacement deadline
- 45 days after deficiency notice
Summary
Hillsborough County requires new landscaping installed under a Landscaping Permit to draw at least half of its required trees from Florida native species, hybrids, or cultivars, part of the county's Florida-Friendly design standards for unincorporated development.
A minimum of 50 percent of the required trees shall be native species, or hybrids or cultivars of native species.
4. A minimum variety of tree species shall be provided as indicated below. Each species shall comprise a minimum of ten percent of the total number of trees required.
Total No. of Trees Minimum No. of Species 10--19 2 20--29 3 30--over 4
5. To avoid a power line conflict, vegetation that exceeds 25 feet in height at maturity shall not be planted closer than 30 feet of the vertical plane of an existing power line, excluding service wires. The Administrator may grant an exemption to this requirement upon the applicant's ability to demonstrate the canopy growth struc- ture of a proposed species will not create conflict with an existing power line. Consultation with the local utility representative should occur for assistance on selecting suitable vegetative species.
6. Non-living ground cover, such as rocks, gravel, and mulch, may be used in combination with living plant material. The use of artificial plants shall not be permitted to meet any of the landscaping requirements.
B. Minimum Number of Trees
Full Breakdown
Any construction of a building, off-street vehicular use area, or irrigation system in unincorporated Hillsborough County needs a Landscaping and/or Irrigation Permit under LDC § 6.06.02. Within that permit, § 6.06.03.A.3 requires at least 50 percent of a project's required trees to be Florida native species or native hybrids/cultivars, alongside species-variety minimums scaled to tree count. The Cooperative Extension Service offers Florida Friendly Landscape plant-selection guidance. No Certificate of Occupancy issues until the Administrator confirms the approved landscape plan is installed, and deficient plantings must be replaced within 45 days of written notice.
Violations & Fines
Building without an approved Landscaping Permit, or letting required native trees die or go unreplaced, blocks a Certificate of Occupancy; the Administrator can order deficient plantings replaced within 45 days of written notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to landscape my property in unincorporated Hillsborough County?
What counts as a native species for the 50% requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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